A primer on criticality safety

Journal Article · Mon May 01 04:00:00 UTC 2017 · Journal of Chemical Health and Safety

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jchas.2016.12.001 · OSTI ID:1338681

Costa, David A.; Cournoyer, Michael E.; Merhege, James F.; Garcia, Vincent E.; Sandoval, Arnold N.

Criticality is the state of a nuclear chain reacting medium when the chain reaction is just self-sustaining (or critical). Criticality is dependent on nine interrelated parameters. Moreover, we design criticality safety controls in order to constrain these parameters to minimize fissions and maximize neutron leakage and absorption in other materials, which makes criticality more difficult or impossible to achieve. We present the consequences of criticality accidents are discussed, the nine interrelated parameters that combine to affect criticality are described, and criticality safety controls used to minimize the likelihood of a criticality accident are presented.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos National Lab. (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• Grant/Contract Number: AC52-06NA25396
• OSTI ID: 1338681
• Report Number(s): LA-UR--16-29608
• Journal Information: Journal of Chemical Health and Safety, Journal Name: Journal of Chemical Health and Safety Journal Issue: 3 Vol. 24; ISSN 1871-5532
• Publisher: ElsevierCopyright Statement
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English